Where is Nevado del Ruiz volcano?
Colombia, south-america
18.6 km
5,321 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in Colombia, ready for an adventure, and you've heard whispers of a road that climbs to the roof of the country, approaching the majestic Nevado del Ruiz volcano. This snow-capped giant, also known as La Mesa de Herveo or Kumanday, straddles the Caldas and Tolima departments.
The drive kicks off from Carretera 50 and stretches for about 18.6 km. It starts off smooth with pavement, but don't get too comfy – it gets rougher as you climb. You'll hit Parador Turístico La Esperanza at 4,117m, where you can fuel up, grab a snack, and maybe even find the gate closed if the volcano is feeling grumpy.
Beyond this point, it's a whole different ball game. The road turns to dirt, so a 4x4 with high clearance is your best bet. The goal? El Refugio hut at 4,804m. From there, the real adventure begins – a hike to the summit! Be warned, even in summer, the temperature can plummet, so pack accordingly! This active volcano is known to have nasty weather year-round and it is one of the highest roads in Colombia, so be prepared for a truly unforgettable experience, if you can get there.
Road Details
- Country
- Colombia
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 18.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 5,321 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in south-america
hardA Wild Unpaved Road to Pico de las Antenas
🇪🇨 Ecuador
Pico de las Antenas is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4,350 m (14,271 ft) above sea level, located in Ecuador. It’s one of the highest roads in the country. The peak is called Pico de las Antenas (“Antenas Peak”) due to an array of telecommunication antennas and towers at the summit, commonly known as Papallacta Antennas. The peak is located east of Quito, on the boundary of Pichincha and Napo Provinces, in the north-central part of the country, within the Parque Nacional Cayambe Coca. The road to the summit is totally unpaved and challenging, with big rocks, sharp turns, steep parts, and narrow sections. A 4x4 vehicle is required. If you go, be prepared for very high elevation conditions. Set high in the Andes just off the Eastern Cordilleras, the road to the summit is 3.5 km (2.17 miles) long starting from La Virgen Pass. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 276 m and the average gradient is 7.88%.Pic: Jesus Ramos Martin Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our interactive map to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
hardMojon Pass
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, adventurers, listen up! You absolutely HAVE to experience Paso de Mojon in the Ancash region of Peru. We're talking serious altitude here – nearly 14,100 feet above sea level. The road, Carretera 3N, is paved, surprisingly wide, and connects Conococha and Huallanca with some seriously steep sections. But the real reward? Jaw-dropping views of the Cordillera Huayhuash! That is, *if* you catch a break in the weather. This area is notorious for its rapidly changing conditions, so sunshine can turn into a blizzard faster than you can say "alpaca." Keep an eye out for potholes too!
hardReaching the Sky on the Winding Road to Alto Pacuni in the La Paz Department
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Ready for an epic Bolivian adventure? Head to the La Paz Department and tackle Alto Pacuni, a mountain pass that'll leave you breathless – literally! We're talking about 4,900m (16,076 ft) above sea level, making it one of Bolivia's highest drives. Located near the town of Pacuni in the Inquisivi Province, get ready for a true off-road experience. This isn't your Sunday cruise; Camino a Choquetanga is a completely unpaved, 22.6 km (14.04 miles) stretch from Pacuni to Choquetanga that demands respect (and a 4x4). Think endless turns, hairpin bends that'll test your skills, steep inclines, and narrow passages. Keep an eye out for mining trucks – Mina La Argentina is nearby, so you'll be sharing the road. But hey, the views! Despite the challenging drive, you'll be rewarded with incredible mountain scenery, a few tunnels carved in overhanging cliffs, and glimpses of stunning lakes like Laguna Recompensa and Laguna Miguillas. A word of caution: altitude sickness is a real concern here. Take it slow, stay hydrated, and listen to your body. Headaches, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue are all signs to take seriously. If things get worse, descend immediately. Be careful and enjoy the ride!
extremeOswaldo Cruz Highway: 1st gear all the way down
🇧🇷 Brazil
Okay, adventure-seekers, let's talk about the Rodovia Oswaldo Cruz in Brazil! This isn't just any road; it's a wild 91km (56 miles) ride through the stunning Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar in São Paulo. Picture this: you're cruising from Taubaté in the Paraíba Valley to the coastal paradise of Ubatuba. SP-125, completed in 1976, isn't for the faint of heart. Get ready for some seriously steep climbs – think first gear practically the whole way! You'll also be navigating hairpin turns that'll put your driving skills to the test. Make sure your car is in tip-top shape, especially the brakes and tires, because you'll need them! But hey, with views like this, it's totally worth it!